Constitution & By-Laws

Sovereign Grace Independent Baptist Church, Inc. · PO Box 8, Hortense, GA 31543

Adopted by vote of the church — November 2, 2025

Article I — Name

Section 1. This church of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be called,

SOVEREIGN GRACE INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH, INC.
PO BOX 8 · HORTENSE, GA 31543

Section 2. The purpose for which this church is organized and set up is the support and maintenance of the worship of God and the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Section 3. This church acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ as its head, and receives the Holy Scriptures as the only infallible guide in matters of faith, church order, practice, and discipline.

Article II — Policy & Government

Section 1. The government of this church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, is Elder led (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:10–11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13; Hebrews 13:7, 17) congregationalism (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:4–5).

The church shall not be subject to the control of any ecclesiastical body, but may fellowship with other churches of like faith and practice.

Section 2. This church shall not tolerate Modernism in Theology and Doctrine or Pentecostalism (referred to commonly as the Charismatic Movement) in any form.

Article III — Membership

Membership in this church may be acquired in the following manner:

  1. Baptism — Any person who evidences a godly change in their life, and by faith in Jesus as the Son of God Who died and shed His blood on the cross to atone for their sins, receives Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior, and is willing to obey Him and His Word, may by vote of the church be received into the membership.
  2. Letter — Any person who has been saved and to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered by authority of an orthodox Baptist church following salvation, may, by a satisfactory statement of faith and letter of recommendation from another Baptist church be received into the membership upon the vote of the church.
  3. Statement — Any person who would meet the requirements of membership by letter but who cannot obtain a letter of recommendation due to the fact that the church of which they were/are a member is being or has been disbanded, may be received into the membership by vote of the members present upon a statement of faith.
  4. Restoration — Any person who has for just cause been excluded from the membership of the church, may be granted the opportunity to present themselves before the church. When approved that person will then be reinstated by a vote of the church.

Membership in this church may be dissolved in the following manner:

  1. Death.
  2. Letter of dismissal to another Baptist church of like faith and practice.
  3. Church Discipline — If and when it becomes necessary for the church to exercise its Scriptural rights of discipline, the church may, by vote of the members present and voting, remove a member from the membership of this church.

Article IV — Church Officers

Section 1. Definition of Elective and Non-Elective Offices

(A) The following are elective offices and are to be elected by the church:

All elected offices with the exception of Deacon shall be for one year.

(B) The following are non-elective or appointed positions to be appointed by the church, with a term of non-elective positions of an indefinite duration:

Section 2. The Pastor(s)/Elder(s)

The qualifications for the Pastor(s) are as stated in the Scriptures:

"It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but considerate, peaceable, free from the love of money; leading his own household well, having his children in submission with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1 Timothy 3:1–7 (LSB)

The Pastor(s), thus called shall serve until the Lord directs a change.

No person shall be considered or called as Pastor who disagrees with the Statement of Faith.

Calling or dismissing a pastor requires a three-fourths vote of the members present.

Section 3. The Duties of the Pastor

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28 (LSB)
"But we ask of you, brothers, that you know those who labor among you, and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another." 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (LSB)
"The Elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor at preaching the word and teaching." 1 Timothy 5:17 (LSB)
"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7 (LSB)
"Obey your leaders and submit to them — for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account — so that they will do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17 (LSB)
"Therefore, I exhort the Elders among you, as your fellow Elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion, but willingly, according to God; and not for dishonest gain, but with eagerness." 1 Peter 5:1–2 (LSB)

Section 4. The Pastor's Authority and Leadership

This church will not give countenance to any preacher who is not orthodox in Baptist Doctrine. They who minister to this church in a preaching and teaching capacity must first be Sound in the Faith, according to the Articles of Faith adopted by this church.

No action shall ever be taken against any Pastors in their absence.

His reputation should be protected, and no accusation should ever be made against him unless it is for a very serious moral or doctrinal nature.

"Do not receive an accusation against an Elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses." 1 Timothy 5:19 (LSB)

If a charge or accusation is to be made against the Pastor it must first be made privately to him, in order to ascertain whether any misunderstanding is involved. If the accuser is not satisfied, the member shall put his charges in writing before the church. No charge shall be considered unless the Scriptural method is adhered to, namely, there must be two witnesses. (See Scripture above.) The Pastor should always be considered innocent of any charge in the absence of proof.

The Pastor's salary is to be determined by a vote of the membership.

Section 5. Deacons: Qualifications and Duties

(A) The need for deacons:

  1. The work was too large for the Apostles and their time was taken up with physical and material needs thus neglecting the Word of God:
    "So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, 'It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.'" Acts 6:2–4 (LSB)
  2. The qualifications for the Deacons is found in 1 Timothy 3:8–13:
    "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 3:8–13 (LSB)
  3. Although not essential, it is desired that the church have Deacons. They shall be spiritually minded men, who are in full agreement with the church, its programs, methods, and doctrinal position. Deacons are to be elected by the church and set aside for ordination by the church. The duration of the office shall be in keeping with the office of the Pastor, namely, he is elected to serve until the Lord directs a change.

    A man coming into this church, having been a deacon in another church, shall not be considered automatically a deacon, but must go through the same process, except that of being re-ordained.

(B) Duties — Serve tables, the physical needs of the church:

  1. The Table of the Poor. What poor? Those of the church.
    "A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work… If any believing woman has widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed." 1 Timothy 5:9–16 (LSB)
  2. The Table of the Pastor: To see that his needs are met, as the Scriptures plainly teach:
    "For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,' and 'The laborer is worthy of his wages.'" 1 Timothy 5:18 (LSB)
  3. The Table of the Church: In the serving of the Lord's Supper under the direction of the Pastor(s).

Section 6. Trustees

For all legal and contractual purposes requiring "Trustees," the church may designate not less than two (2) qualified men as Trustees.

The Trustee shall not hold regular meetings but shall serve as a standing committee and shall meet when called for by the Pastor(s) to expedite whatever business the church may have decided upon.

They shall hold in trust the property of the church; execute all deeds, debentures, mortgages, liens, and other legal documents for and in behalf of the church; but they shall not have authority to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or otherwise encumber the property of the church without a specific vote of the church authorizing such action.

The Trustee shall not refuse to carry out the wishes of the church. If a Trustee should refuse to act according to the church's instructions, he shall immediately forfeit his office, and the Pastor(s) shall appoint another member who shall temporarily fill the office.

The Pastor shall serve as moderator of all Trustee meetings, and NO Trustee meetings shall be held in the Pastor's absence.

Section 7. Clerk

The church shall have a clerk who shall keep a record of all business meetings and shall keep an accurate record of all the membership. The clerk shall be elected by a majority vote in the first regular business meeting of the year.

The clerk shall read the minutes of the previous month at each monthly business meeting.

Section 8. Treasurer

The church shall have a Treasurer, elected annually by a majority vote in the first regular business meeting of the year.

The Treasurer shall present a financial report to the church at each monthly business meeting. The treasurer shall pay all bills incurred by the church with the tithes and offerings received.

Article V — Scriptural Position of Women in the Assembly

Because of the teaching of the Scriptures this church does not condone or permit:

This is not meant to infer that women are in any way inferior to men but rather to follow the Scriptural order. This does not preclude women from teaching classes of their own sex, singing specials, speaking to give prayer requests, voting or even speaking during business meetings of the church.

"The women are to keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. But if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church." 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 (LSB)
"A woman must learn in quietness, in all submission. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first formed, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into trespass." 1 Timothy 2:11–14 (LSB)

Article VI — Meetings

Section 1. For Worship and Work

(A) For public worship, preaching, instruction, prayer, and evangelism, regular meetings for the membership will be held each Sunday, and a midweek service as determined by the pastor(s) and the church. Each meeting shall be under the direct leadership of the Pastor(s) whom God has placed as overseers of the flock. Special meetings shall be determined by the church.

(B) The pastor(s) shall be authorized to accept meetings, speaking engagements, as he may deem proper, with the approval of the church. It shall also be the Pastor's responsibility to appoint someone to fill the pulpit in his absence. No Evangelist, Missionary, or Pastor shall speak in the church without the approval of the Pastor(s).

Section 2. Transaction of Regular Business

  1. A scripturally qualified person or persons may be received into the membership at any regular worship service.
  2. Quarterly business meetings will be held on the second Sunday of the month, and following the regular worship service shall be designated as the regular business meeting time for the transaction of church business.
  3. No business meeting shall be called by any committee, including Deacon(s), Trustees, and Officers, without the approval of the Pastor(s).
  4. The pastor(s) may call the church together for a special business meeting at any time he deems it needful.
  5. A quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings shall be not less than fifty (50) percent of the resident membership of the church. For the call or termination of a Pastor, it shall be seventy-five (75) percent.
  6. A majority vote of those present and voting shall determine any matter voted upon unless otherwise specified in the by-laws; however it shall take a seventy-five (75) percent vote to change the BY-LAWS, but this can be overridden with a 100% vote of those present.
  7. Any and all tithes, offerings, or any funds obtained in any other legal manner become the sole property of the church and cannot be considered the property of any individual and shall be disbursed only by a majority vote of the church.
  8. The Articles of Faith may be changed or updated with a seventy-five (75) percent vote of those present.

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